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Post by octopuspasta on Nov 15, 2020 1:43:17 GMT 9
Hi everyone!
I noticed there was a thread for 2020 applicants so I thought it would be nice to have a thread for 2021 applicants since applications are open now.
I hope we can use this space to share advice and queries! I myself have made a few threads regarding my application, so I figured it would probably be better to have a single thread we can all use to ask questions 😅
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Post by octopuspasta on Nov 19, 2020 3:59:47 GMT 9
Hey everyone, I was wondering how common it is for CIRs to already have some translation/interpreting experience before applying to JET? As I am a fresh graduate I have no professional/freelance experience. I've only translated in class and have no real interpreting experience. I'm trying to make my application the best that I can with the experience I have, but I am worried that my lack of experience (for what could be a big part of the job) might seriously weaken my application  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2020 11:56:19 GMT 9
Hey everyone, I was wondering how common it is for CIRs to already have some translation/interpreting experience before applying to JET? As I am a fresh graduate I have no professional/freelance experience. I've only translated in class and have no real interpreting experience. I'm trying to make my application the best that I can with the experience I have, but I am worried that my lack of experience (for what could be a big part of the job) might seriously weaken my application You don't need to have any experience translating/interpreting. CIRs do more than translate. If anything, you should focus on other aspects of CIR work during your interview/personal statement. Do you play a sport that is popular abroad, but not in Japan? Talk about how you would like to run a class teaching locals the rules/how to play. Are you good at cooking cuisine of your country? Talk about how you want to do cooking classes to teach locals how to cook it. Is your country misunderstood by people around the world? Talk about how you want to clear things up with either lectures or day to day interaction. You could also show you are up to date with recent Japanese initiatives. Ex: Kansai world masters games. "If I were placed in Kansai, I would love to be involved in the Kansai world masters games by ....." "I want to help counteract the falling population of the countryside by doing......" (I know about this one too well......) I think I focused too much on translation and interpretation in my interview, and that ended me up as an alternate. Edit: In my experience, the only translation/interpretation jobs that CIRs do are jobs that contracting organizations don't want to pay professional translators/interpreters to do. Although ESID, of course. |
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Post by Miscreative on Nov 19, 2020 11:59:46 GMT 9
octopuspasta Very few of us have "professional" translation/interpretation experience, let alone have gone through schooling for it (though that is more common) I personally only had N2 Japanese, studied abroad, and took a business Japanese course.
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Post by sumimint on Nov 19, 2020 15:38:14 GMT 9
Hey everyone, I was wondering how common it is for CIRs to already have some translation/interpreting experience before applying to JET? As I am a fresh graduate I have no professional/freelance experience. I've only translated in class and have no real interpreting experience. I'm trying to make my application the best that I can with the experience I have, but I am worried that my lack of experience (for what could be a big part of the job) might seriously weaken my application i did freelance translating work for 1 year while I had my n2. But I focused more on my experience living abroad, assuring them I would not have a problem adjusting, showing my history with international exchange, etc you are not expected to be a pro translator as a CIR, so dont worry |
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Post by octopuspasta on Nov 20, 2020 4:58:32 GMT 9
octopuspasta Very few of us have "professional" translation/interpretation experience, let alone have gone through schooling for it (though that is more common) I personally only had N2 Japanese, studied abroad, and took a business Japanese course. Wow I'm in the exact same position (N2, study abroad, did one business Japanese course at uni) It's reassuring to know that a lack of professional experience won't be a disadvantage. Currently my SOP is focused a lot on event planning since that's what I have the most experience in |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Nov 20, 2020 9:35:50 GMT 9
octopuspasta Hilariously, I do have a degree in translation and well as a lot of experience, and I got my N1 during my application, but I was still on the waiting list 4 times before being upgraded ^^;
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Post by Aqua on Nov 20, 2020 11:55:51 GMT 9
octopuspasta I had a degree in Japanese and translation (Or.. would have had it by the time of departure), but had just failed the N2 and I was shortlisted. I think they might prioritize certain personality types over people with huge amounts of experience. - They really want to be sure you can do okay living abroad. In my case I got asked a lot about how I would continue to promote cultural exchange between Japan and my country after I finished JET. (It probably helped that my country has quite a limited number of applicants so the competition isn't quite as fierce)
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dublinese101
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
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Post by dublinese101 on Nov 22, 2020 2:10:27 GMT 9
Hi everyone, I'm currently filling out my application, but I'm concerned about my Japanese level. I'm in my final year of studying Japanese at university, and I spent one year on study abroad in Tokyo, but I'm worried that my Japanese isn't at a working level yet. I haven't taken the JLPT either(I was going to but it was been cancelled). Could anybody tell me the level of Japanese required at the interview and what kind of articles I should be able to read for it? I want to get as much practice in as possible! Thank you  |
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Post by Dee on Nov 22, 2020 15:39:39 GMT 9
Hi everyone, I'm currently filling out my application, but I'm concerned about my Japanese level. I'm in my final year of studying Japanese at university, and I spent one year on study abroad in Tokyo, but I'm worried that my Japanese isn't at a working level yet. I haven't taken the JLPT either(I was going to but it was been cancelled). Could anybody tell me the level of Japanese required at the interview and what kind of articles I should be able to read for it? I want to get as much practice in as possible! Thank you Most will tell you that your Japanese needs to be at JLPT N2, but what does that really mean? You should be at a high conversational level. Can you sit down with a native Japanese-american and converse well? What kind of topics can you talk about well? I took a business Japanese class at university, but I didn't hardly remember any of it so I was not very well versed talking in business/working lingo, but I could sit down with hulemdos and chat for hours. Be asured, you will pick up A LOT of Japanese on the job. As for the reading in the interview, try reading short news articles on NHK in preparation. I even recommend reading them out loud. If you get an interview, be prepared to introduce yourself and talk about yourself in Japanese. Practice talking about topics you brought up in your SOP. Ask a hulemdo or professor to give you a mock interview. There are quite a few CIRs that aren't necessarily confident in their language ability (myself included) but don't discount yourself. Be confident and be yourself. |
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dublinese101
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
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Post by dublinese101 on Nov 22, 2020 23:29:30 GMT 9
Hi everyone, I'm currently filling out my application, but I'm concerned about my Japanese level. I'm in my final year of studying Japanese at university, and I spent one year on study abroad in Tokyo, but I'm worried that my Japanese isn't at a working level yet. I haven't taken the JLPT either(I was going to but it was been cancelled). Could anybody tell me the level of Japanese required at the interview and what kind of articles I should be able to read for it? I want to get as much practice in as possible! Thank you Most will tell you that your Japanese needs to be at JLPT N2, but what does that really mean? You should be at a high conversational level. Can you sit down with a native Japanese-american and converse well? What kind of topics can you talk about well? I took a business Japanese class at university, but I didn't hardly remember any of it so I was not very well versed talking in business/working lingo, but I could sit down with hulemdos and chat for hours. Be asured, you will pick up A LOT of Japanese on the job. As for the reading in the interview, try reading short news articles on NHK in preparation. I even recommend reading them out loud. If you get an interview, be prepared to introduce yourself and talk about yourself in Japanese. Practice talking about topics you brought up in your SOP. Ask a hulemdo or professor to give you a mock interview. There are quite a few CIRs that aren't necessarily confident in their language ability (myself included) but don't discount yourself. Be confident and be yourself. Thanks for this! The Japanese community in Ireland (where I'm applying from) is pretty small so my conversational skills have probably dropped somewhat, but I had a fairly good conversational level while I was living in Tokyo. I should definitely call my hulemdos and have Japanese conversations more often though. And thanks for the advice about how to practice. I was kinda disheartened because most places I checked just mentioned JLPT levels and nothing else, so this is a great help  |
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Post by Aqua on Nov 24, 2020 9:50:59 GMT 9
Most will tell you that your Japanese needs to be at JLPT N2, but what does that really mean? You should be at a high conversational level. Can you sit down with a native Japanese-american and converse well? What kind of topics can you talk about well? I took a business Japanese class at university, but I didn't hardly remember any of it so I was not very well versed talking in business/working lingo, but I could sit down with hulemdos and chat for hours. Be asured, you will pick up A LOT of Japanese on the job. As for the reading in the interview, try reading short news articles on NHK in preparation. I even recommend reading them out loud. If you get an interview, be prepared to introduce yourself and talk about yourself in Japanese. Practice talking about topics you brought up in your SOP. Ask a hulemdo or professor to give you a mock interview. There are quite a few CIRs that aren't necessarily confident in their language ability (myself included) but don't discount yourself. Be confident and be yourself. Thanks for this! The Japanese community in Ireland (where I'm applying from) is pretty small so my conversational skills have probably dropped somewhat, but I had a fairly good conversational level while I was living in Tokyo. I should definitely call my hulemdos and have Japanese conversations more often though. And thanks for the advice about how to practice. I was kinda disheartened because most places I checked just mentioned JLPT levels and nothing else, so this is a great help Hi hi! A current Irish CIR here. Different countries do the interview process differently but, I didn't have a JLPT when I interviewed (in fact I'm only trying for N2 at next week's exam - a full year and a half after starting JET!)
Assuming the interview process is the same each year; for me they started off in English and asked a lot about how I would bring Irish culture to Japan and when I finish up on JET how I intend to continue cultural exchange (if I'd be interested in becoming part of a club in Ireland to introduce Japanese culture, or stay in Japan and keep sharing my culture). Then they moved to a pretty basic conversation - greetings, hobbies, why I was interested in Japanese etc. They then gave me an article to read, like Dee said. I was asked to read it to myself first and then read it out loud to them - within the article there were some kanji I didn't know and I just asked how to read them. They asked a few comprehension questions but then mostly moved to opinions. (My article was about Workations so they asked how I'd feel about working while on vacation/travelling etc.). Then they switched back to English and asked me if I had any questions and that was it. The whole thing lasted maybe 30 minutes.
I'd say the best thing you can do to prepare is to inform yourself on recent topics. Read news articles and try to form your own opinion about the topic and imagine what sort of questions you could be asked.
If you go to the university I think you probably go to from your username, one of the Japanese professors there actually is/was very involved with the JET hiring process. (I've heard stories of people going to interviews and she was the interviewer but because she knew them she would have to go and swap with someone else). It might be worth asking her if she could help you with preparations maybe? - but very politely because that's not really part of her job.
Feel free to send me a private message if you have any Ireland-specific questions about the process! Best of luck!
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Tsubasakei
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 9
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Shizuoka
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by Tsubasakei on Nov 24, 2020 11:21:32 GMT 9
Hi everyone!
So I just completed and send out the application for U.S Jet the past weekend, and now is waiting to see I'm granted a chance of interview. During the time of wait I was thinking maybe I can start preparing for the interview just in case I do get a chance. Just wonder if anyone would be so kind to provide some advice as to what direction should I be heading? I'm about to revisit some old books for Japanese reading and maybe Japanese news apps. Any other things I should try? I'm the type who gets really nervous when it comes to interview... Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
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Post by thelatter on Nov 24, 2020 11:46:33 GMT 9
Hi everyone! So I just completed and send out the application for U.S Jet the past weekend, and now is waiting to see I'm granted a chance of interview. During the time of wait I was thinking maybe I can start preparing for the interview just in case I do get a chance. Just wonder if anyone would be so kind to provide some advice as to what direction should I be heading? I'm about to revisit some old books for Japanese reading and maybe Japanese news apps. Any other things I should try? I'm the type who gets really nervous when it comes to interview... Any advice is appreciated, thanks! I think this is a good idea. The way they tested my Japanese during the interview was through answering some of the questions they posed to me and then reading an article out loud and answering questions about that.
Go over your SoP and remember what you wrote in it as they'll probably ask you to elaborate on some of the content. Otherwise, if you get an interview, remember the purpose of JET and who you yourself are during the interview.
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dublinese101
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
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Post by dublinese101 on Nov 25, 2020 8:09:56 GMT 9
Thanks for this! The Japanese community in Ireland (where I'm applying from) is pretty small so my conversational skills have probably dropped somewhat, but I had a fairly good conversational level while I was living in Tokyo. I should definitely call my hulemdos and have Japanese conversations more often though. And thanks for the advice about how to practice. I was kinda disheartened because most places I checked just mentioned JLPT levels and nothing else, so this is a great help Hi hi! A current Irish CIR here. Different countries do the interview process differently but, I didn't have a JLPT when I interviewed (in fact I'm only trying for N2 at next week's exam - a full year and a half after starting JET!)
Assuming the interview process is the same each year; for me they started off in English and asked a lot about how I would bring Irish culture to Japan and when I finish up on JET how I intend to continue cultural exchange (if I'd be interested in becoming part of a club in Ireland to introduce Japanese culture, or stay in Japan and keep sharing my culture). Then they moved to a pretty basic conversation - greetings, hobbies, why I was interested in Japanese etc. They then gave me an article to read, like Dee said. I was asked to read it to myself first and then read it out loud to them - within the article there were some kanji I didn't know and I just asked how to read them. They asked a few comprehension questions but then mostly moved to opinions. (My article was about Workations so they asked how I'd feel about working while on vacation/travelling etc.). Then they switched back to English and asked me if I had any questions and that was it. The whole thing lasted maybe 30 minutes.
I'd say the best thing you can do to prepare is to inform yourself on recent topics. Read news articles and try to form your own opinion about the topic and imagine what sort of questions you could be asked.
If you go to the university I think you probably go to from your username, one of the Japanese professors there actually is/was very involved with the JET hiring process. (I've heard stories of people going to interviews and she was the interviewer but because she knew them she would have to go and swap with someone else). It might be worth asking her if she could help you with preparations maybe? - but very politely because that's not really part of her job.
Feel free to send me a private message if you have any Ireland-specific questions about the process! Best of luck!
Thank you so much! It's great to hear what people have actually experienced in the Irish interviews! I've been trying to practice a lot recently and this kind of advice definitely helps to calm my doubts. I was specifically worried about kanji (cause I can usually understand an article, but there's usually a few kanji readings I don't know yet), so hearing that they don't mind if you ask for a couple of readings is a big relief! I have already spoken to some of my professors about the application and they have agreed to give me some advice, and one has agreed to be my reference, so I guess I'm pretty lucky in that sense. Between the advice from my professors and the advice from here, I'm feeling a bit more confident, so thank you! |
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wooni
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Posts: 6
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Post by wooni on Dec 19, 2020 14:02:44 GMT 9
Hello everyone!
I submitted my application last week from Canada 🇨🇦 and I've heard that the Canadian embassy does a pre-interview phone screen to see if your Japanese is up to par before accepting and scheduling you for the actual interview. I might be jumping the gun on this since theres still a month before hearing back from the embassy about results but I was wondering if anyone knows what questions will be asked and around when should I be expecting the call?
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Dec 19, 2020 16:29:07 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I submitted my application last week from Canada 🇨🇦 and I've heard that the Canadian embassy does a pre-interview phone screen to see if your Japanese is up to par before accepting and scheduling you for the actual interview. I might be jumping the gun on this since theres still a month before hearing back from the embassy about results but I was wondering if anyone knows what questions will be asked and around when should I be expecting the call? They won't necessarily do this, but if they do, they'll ask vocabulary questions (like synonyms and antonyms and meanings), or the type of questions you'd see in the JLPT, where you choose the correct answer in a list of options |
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wooni
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 6
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Post by wooni on Dec 20, 2020 14:31:16 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I submitted my application last week from Canada 🇨🇦 and I've heard that the Canadian embassy does a pre-interview phone screen to see if your Japanese is up to par before accepting and scheduling you for the actual interview. I might be jumping the gun on this since theres still a month before hearing back from the embassy about results but I was wondering if anyone knows what questions will be asked and around when should I be expecting the call? They won't necessarily do this, but if they do, they'll ask vocabulary questions (like synonyms and antonyms and meanings), or the type of questions you'd see in the JLPT, where you choose the correct answer in a list of options Thanks for letting me know! I was most worried about this part since I don't see many people talking about it, but I think that should be easy enough |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Dec 20, 2020 23:32:51 GMT 9
They won't necessarily do this, but if they do, they'll ask vocabulary questions (like synonyms and antonyms and meanings), or the type of questions you'd see in the JLPT, where you choose the correct answer in a list of options Thanks for letting me know! I was most worried about this part since I don't see many people talking about it, but I think that should be easy enough :) Haha, that might be because it's a Canada-only thing, and there aren't that many Canadians! |
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Post by Riko on Dec 21, 2020 11:03:30 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I submitted my application last week from Canada 🇨🇦 and I've heard that the Canadian embassy does a pre-interview phone screen to see if your Japanese is up to par before accepting and scheduling you for the actual interview. I might be jumping the gun on this since theres still a month before hearing back from the embassy about results but I was wondering if anyone knows what questions will be asked and around when should I be expecting the call? They won't necessarily do this, but if they do, they'll ask vocabulary questions (like synonyms and antonyms and meanings), or the type of questions you'd see in the JLPT, where you choose the correct answer in a list of options Hi, how would you suggest I study synonyms and antonyms and meanings? Thanks. |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Dec 21, 2020 11:12:01 GMT 9
They won't necessarily do this, but if they do, they'll ask vocabulary questions (like synonyms and antonyms and meanings), or the type of questions you'd see in the JLPT, where you choose the correct answer in a list of options Hi, how would you suggest I study synonyms and antonyms and meanings? Thanks. Honestly, I wouldn't really go into full studying just for this one phone call that you may not even get. If you were to study anything, you may want to focus on JLPT vocabulary. The only question I distinctly remember is them asking about 賛成/反対, so it's not anything advanced (Edit because my FB Memories mentioned me getting this call on this date, hue) Basically, they asked for an introduction, and the vocabulary questions
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Post by octopuspasta on Jan 30, 2021 4:35:17 GMT 9
I have an interview! I found out this week and it's next week! I was surprised with how short notice it is but I know that the UK JET programme said they would be sending invitations to interview on a rolling basis. I'm so nervous! I thought I'd have more time to prepare. Especially given how interviews are online this year I'm not sure how the reading section of the interview will go.
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Zola
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 11
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
Location: Okayama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by Zola on Feb 2, 2021 1:01:20 GMT 9
I have an interview! I found out this week and it's next week! I was surprised with how short notice it is but I know that the UK JET programme said they would be sending invitations to interview on a rolling basis. I'm so nervous! I thought I'd have more time to prepare. Especially given how interviews are online this year I'm not sure how the reading section of the interview will go. Hello hello! 2020 unsuccessful UK applicant checking in again I also got an interview for the second year running (thank goodness) so hopefully I won't flub it this time. I was also shocked by interview date; my understanding was that it'd be in early March - especially with all the delays we've had. From what I've seen on Reddit, the reading portion will be done via sharing the screen of the interviewer but don't quote me on that  I am just glad I don't have to travel 2+ hours to sit in the middle of a strange room again, with the reading paper clutched in my shaking, sweaty hands  |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Feb 2, 2021 8:54:02 GMT 9
I have an interview! I found out this week and it's next week! I was surprised with how short notice it is but I know that the UK JET programme said they would be sending invitations to interview on a rolling basis. I'm so nervous! I thought I'd have more time to prepare. Especially given how interviews are online this year I'm not sure how the reading section of the interview will go. Hello hello! 2020 unsuccessful UK applicant checking in again I also got an interview for the second year running (thank goodness) so hopefully I won't flub it this time. I was also shocked by interview date; my understanding was that it'd be in early March - especially with all the delays we've had. From what I've seen on Reddit, the reading portion will be done via sharing the screen of the interviewer but don't quote me on that ::) I am just glad I don't have to travel 2+ hours to sit in the middle of a strange room again, with the reading paper clutched in my shaking, sweaty hands (rofl) Good luck! |
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Post by octopuspasta on Feb 2, 2021 9:20:02 GMT 9
I have an interview! I found out this week and it's next week! I was surprised with how short notice it is but I know that the UK JET programme said they would be sending invitations to interview on a rolling basis. I'm so nervous! I thought I'd have more time to prepare. Especially given how interviews are online this year I'm not sure how the reading section of the interview will go. Hello hello! 2020 unsuccessful UK applicant checking in again I also got an interview for the second year running (thank goodness) so hopefully I won't flub it this time. I was also shocked by interview date; my understanding was that it'd be in early March - especially with all the delays we've had. From what I've seen on Reddit, the reading portion will be done via sharing the screen of the interviewer but don't quote me on that I am just glad I don't have to travel 2+ hours to sit in the middle of a strange room again, with the reading paper clutched in my shaking, sweaty hands Good luck! I was wondering how the reading portion would be done virtually! Do you have any advice for a first-timer? I'm so nervous already I'm terrified I'm going to botch it |
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Zola
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 11
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
Location: Okayama
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by Zola on Feb 4, 2021 20:00:40 GMT 9
Hello hello! 2020 unsuccessful UK applicant checking in again I also got an interview for the second year running (thank goodness) so hopefully I won't flub it this time. I was also shocked by interview date; my understanding was that it'd be in early March - especially with all the delays we've had. From what I've seen on Reddit, the reading portion will be done via sharing the screen of the interviewer but don't quote me on that I am just glad I don't have to travel 2+ hours to sit in the middle of a strange room again, with the reading paper clutched in my shaking, sweaty hands Good luck! I was wondering how the reading portion would be done virtually! Do you have any advice for a first-timer? I'm so nervous already I'm terrified I'm going to botch it Good luck to you too! Haha, considering I didn't get it last year, I really don't know if I'm the right person to ask tbh Last year, not only did I let nerves get the better of me, in hindsight, I was woefully unprepared. I guess all I can say is, it's not the end of the world if you do botch it. You can go away, work on yourself and try again next year. Japan will still be there. |
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Tsubasakei
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 9
CIR Experience: 1st year
Location: Shizuoka
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by Tsubasakei on Feb 11, 2021 10:23:17 GMT 9
I just got my interview email! So excited! Looks like with U.S applicant there is about one month prep time, really nervous but happy at the same time hue. Wonder if there is any suggestion for interview process?
Also thanks to everyone on this forum, this place really helped a lot during the application process and getting know more about the program! So glad to find this forum!
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Post by Leilo on Feb 12, 2021 13:01:15 GMT 9
It's so exciting to think that one of you could be my successor!
Best of luck to you all :D
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Post by octopuspasta on Feb 13, 2021 3:52:33 GMT 9
To be quite honest I'm not feeling confident about my chances. I think my nerves showed through too much and I don't feel confident about getting shortlisted. I hope everyone else's interviews go better!
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wooni
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 6
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Post by wooni on Feb 18, 2021 8:57:02 GMT 9
I just heard back from JET and I have an interview sometime in two weeks WOOHOO! I was just wondering if there were any Canadian or Vancouver specific interview questions I have to look out for?
P.S. I didn't get that prescreening phone call that I asked about a while back.
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